Thursday, November 28, 2013

Lemon
is a yellow fruit whose pulp, juice, peel and even its zest can be
exclusively used in food further the sour taste of lemon is due to the
presence of 5 % to 6% of citric acid in lemon juice. This distinctive
taste of lemon juice also makes it one of the important ingredients
either when it is used in drinks or even food like cocktails, lemonade
and soft drinks.

Lemon juice also can be made into a preservative
for certain foods which oxidize and turn brown after they are sliced
like apples, bananas and avocados, it is the presence of acids which
denatures the enzymes which result in browning and degradation of foods.

This
is not the end to the ways in which these lemons can be used, there is
also one of the effect methods which is drinking lemon water early in
the morning to get flat tummy, here we give you facts which will surely
force you to give a try for lemon water in the morning:

• It is
not necessary that this will have any effect on the morning coffee cup
that has great taste and aroma along with warmth instead taking lemon
water will only be suggestible for people who are ready to postpone
their cup of coffee for 30 minutes.
• Cancer cells are known to
breed in acidic body but even any human body is known to perform better
when it has higher alkaline content. Lemon though is famous for being an
acidic fruit also is known to be great alkalizing agent when it gets
into the human body also lessening the acidic levels. Though there are
very few people who know that their body is acidic due to the food being
eaten and things to which skin is exposed however this can be beaten by
lemon water to lessen pH levels.
• Great source of Vitamins and Minerals: It
is known that this yellow fruit is richer source of Vitamin C which is
known to be anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial and also helps in developing
immune system, Vitamin B which is for production of energy, Riboflavin
helps in growth, repair and development of tissue along with minerals
like calcium, magnesium and phosphorous which help in adding strength to
bones and teeth.
• Liver purification: Liver is the main
organ which detoxifies, produces protein and bio-chemicals which are
known to be responsible for proper body digestion. It has been found
that lemon water helps liver to carry out all its responsibilities even
more effectively since it increases the number of enzymes which detoxify
liver, apart from this lemon is known to be diuretic which helps in
increasing the rate at which urination happens which ultimately purifies
the body.
• Halts age: Lemon is known to help in erasing
the wrinkles also having a better appearance of skin on regular
consumption. If the body has too many toxins then the skin does not look
healthy which can be fought with lemon water to get clear and glowing
skin. Lemon also has citric acid which helps in fighting against acne
making this one of the cheapest and most commonly available remedy to
treat wrinkles and get glowing skin at the same time.
• Helps in weight loss: Too
many toxins and waste products in liver will have effect on the body
metabolism which in turn increases body fat. Lemon water is known to
help liver in removal of all the waste products also increasing the body
fat however lemon has to be supported by proper diet and physical
activity.
• Resolves respiratory problems: Lemon water is
known to treat any chest infections and stop any smaller coughs, also
lemon is known to be best treatment for people suffering from asthma and
allergies. Lemon is also known to treat bad breath and any tooth ache
along with gingivitis due to the higher rate of citric acid which when
taken in increased content will cause harm to tooth enamel.

Here is the process in which homemade lemon water can be prepared for consumption in morning:

Take
a glass full of water either cool or even at room temperature and those
suffering with any digestion problems can use hot water.

Now squeeze juice from half slice of fresh lemon into this glass of water

Stir this and drink without any sugar.

It
is advised to not use bottled lemon water due to increased presence of
sulphites which results in allergy among several people.

Many of us do not think much about our bed partner who snores. If the snoring
is loud enough to disrupt our sleeping, one does not stop to think that
it might be a sign of sleep apnea in our partner’s health. While sleep
apnea is treated by the right precautions and treatments, it is often
not recognized for which one could develop further health complications.
Those who snore loudly are suspected to suffer from this disorder which
leads to the breathing being disrupted several times during sleep.

Causes Of Sleep Apnea

Sleep
apnea can develop in children, young or old people as well as male or
female. There are many risk factors that are linked to the obstructive
or central sleep apnea symptoms:

• Excess body weight can lead to such a condition developing
• Hereditary linkage to someone who suffered from sleep apnea raises the risk of someone developing the condition
• People over the age of 65 have higher risk of developing such conditions
• Males have a higher risk genetically of developing sleep apnea
• Blacks or Hispanics have chances of developing such a condition among the different races
• If someone has the habit of smoking, one could easily develop sleep apnea
• Certain physical attributes increase the likelihood of having the
ailment like receding chin, enlarged tonsils, thick neck, deviated
septum an others
• In such cases the airway is usually blocked out or narrowed

Symptoms Of Sleep Apnea

There
are some symptoms of sleep apnea that indicate that one is suffering
from such a condition for which they are having disturbed or fitful
sleep:

• Those who suffer from sleep apnea usually snore loudly
and their snoring is chronic. It will occur all the time. it is a ritual
that is repeated every night and most bed partners get used to the
noise
• One could snort, gasp as well a choke in their sleep.
That is a dangerous thing for which treatment or intervention has to be
taken up
• Another common symptom of sleep apnea is the pause in
breathing. That puts pressure on the heart which can lead to serious
complications
• No matter how much time one spends sleeping at night, one is bound to feel tired during the day and feel sleepy as well
• Waking up with a sore throat
• Fitful or restless sleep
• Visiting the bathroom frequently at night
• Feeling out of breath upon waking up
• Depression, irritability and mood swings
[Also Read: Say Good Bye To Snoring]

Home Remedies for Sleep Apnea

While
one may think that the symptoms and the signs of sleep apnea are scary,
it is a condition that is treatable. There are many things that one can
do in order to help themselves. Those who suffer from mild or moderate
forms of the ailment can opt for certain home remedies. These mainly
include making certain changes in the lifestyle in order to reduce the
symptoms of sleep apnea.

1. Lose The Excess Fat

One needs to reduce the fat content in their body

• When fat content is reduced, the airways open up and the blockages are removed due to which sleep apnea symptoms go down
• It has been seen that excess body fat has a direct correlation to the sleep apnea symptoms

3. Quitting The Habit Of Smoking

It
is believed that sleep apnea is caused or aggravated when one is into
smoking. Usually the air passageways are inflamed or blocked due to
which the condition occurs.

• Smoking is known to increase the fluid retention in the throat as well as increases the inflammations in the air passageways
• If one gives up the habit of smoking, they will help to reduce the
inflammation and reduce chances of fluid retention in the air
passageways

4. Avoiding Alcohol

• Alcohol is known to relax the muscles in the throat along with other muscles of the body
• That is what interferes with the regular breathing in a person who is inflicted with the sleep apnea condition
• It is advised that alcohol be avoided before bedtime by such people. It would aggravate the sleep apnea condition

5. Avoiding Sedatives Or Sleeping Pills

• Sleeping pills or sedatives are known to have similar effect on the muscles of the body as alcohol does
• These lead to the throat muscles relaxing which can interfere with the opening up of the passageways
• That in turn will lead to sleep apnea condition getting aggravated.
• It is best to avoid taking pills or medication to sleep. If one has
trouble sleeping, they should resort to natural relation techniques.

6. Caffeine To Be Avoided Before Bedtime

• Caffeine may have the opposite effect on the body as alcohol but it is harmful for those who suffer from sleep apnea condition
• If you are aware of someone who is suffering from sleep apnea symptoms, advise them to not drink coffee before sleeping

7. Heavy Meal To Be Avoided

• It is advisable that one does not consume large meals immediately before bedtime
• Meal timings should be kept at least two hours prior to going to sleep
• That would ensure that the digestive process does not interfere with the regular breathing and allows one to sleep peacefully

8. Maintaining Proper Sleeping Hours

• When one is suffering from sleep apnea, it is imperative that proper sleeping hours be maintained
• When one gets plenty of sleep the apnea symptoms go own
• If one sticks to a steady sleep schedule that will ensure that the body gets adequate rest
• Avoid caffeine and heavy meals within two hours of going to bed.
• Maintain regular sleep hours. Sticking to a steady sleep schedule
will help you relax and sleep better.

Apnea episodes decrease when you
get plenty of sleep.

9. Sleeping Position

• It is best that one sleeps on their side if they are prone to sleep apnea
• One needs to avoid sleeping on their back
• Gravity makes the tongue and the soft tissues to drop down and obstruct the air passages if one roles onto their back

10. Opting For The Tennis Ball Trick

•
In order to avoid falling back or rolling back on one’s back while
sleeping one can sew a tennis ball into a pocket which could then be
attached to the back of one’s pajama top.
• That will keep one from rolling back to one’s back
• A pillow could be stuffed with tennis balls and wedged onto one’s back

11. Keeping The Head Up

• it is known that keeping the head up while sleeping allows the air to go in and out more easily
• For those who are prone to sleep apnea it is necessary to keep their head propped up.
• The head of the bed could also be kept elevated by four or six inches
• A special cervical pillow could also be used to prop up one’s head

12. Opening Up The Nasal Passages Before Sleeping

• It is a good idea to use a nasal dilator to open up the passages before sleeping at night
• One could even use a saline spray or a saline wash process
• A warm bath would also open up the air passages and help one to sleep better
• Prop your head up. Elevate the head of your bed by four to six inches
or elevate your body from the waist up by using a foam wedge. You can
also use a special cervical pillow.

13. Throat Exercises To Help Reduce Sleep Apnea Symptoms

Practicing
different kinds of that exercises not only strengthens the lungs and
the throat muscles, the air passages are kept open much more.

• As the muscles strengthen which surround the air passages they are likely to hold up and not collapse
• Pressing the tongue flat against the floor of the mouth and then
brushing up and down with a toothbrush is an effective exercise.

14. Finger In The Cheek

• A simple exercise to help reduce sleep apnea is placing a finger into one side of the mouth.
• The finger is held against the cheek and the cheek muscles are pulled in at the same time.
• It needs to be repeated for ten times on alternate sides
• The same sequence should be repeated three times for each side

15. The Kissing Exercise

• One needs to purse their lips as if they are about to kiss.
• The lips need to be held tightly and then moved up and down and right and left.
• The sequence should be done ten times

16. The Balloon Exercise

•
By placing the lips on a balloon one should try to inflate the balloon
as much as possible and repeat it without removing the balloon from the
mouth

17. Trying Out Relaxation Techniques

• Soft, soothing music will help one to relax and fall asleep
• It will help to regulate the sleeping pattern

18. Trying Deep Breathing Techniques

• Deep breathing and regulating one’s breathing through numerous exercises will help one to control their symptoms

Are
you suffering from sleep apnea? Do you feel that you have no solution
at hand? There are many effective remedies at home that can address this
condition.

Kidney
stones can be caused by different factors. The discomfort caused by
even a small kidney stone is acute. It requires immediate medical
attention. Thus, if such an ailment comes on, one needs to seek medical
attention. However, as preventive steps one can take up several home
remedies that will help to reduce the pain.

Causes Of Kidney Stones

Kidney
stones can be caused by different factors. There are many factors that
may also increase the risk of developing kidney stones:

• Kidney
stones are formed when the urine contains crystal forming substances
such as uric acid, oxalate and calcium which are more than what the
urine can dilute. The urine may also lack certain substances that
prevent the crystals from sticking together for which an ideal
environment is formed for the kidney stones to be formed.
• There
are different types of stones formed due to the kind of diet that one
follows. Often calcium stones are formed due to certain metabolic
disorders, dietary intake or high doses of vitamin D
• Struvite stones are often formed due to an infection in the urinary tract.
• Uric acid stones are formed when one follows a high protein diet
without consuming enough of fluids. That is mainly due to diet and
lifestyle choices. Many people afflicted with gout can develop uric acid
stones. Genetic factors can also increase the risk of stones.

Thus, the causes of stone formation in the kidney can be several.

Symptoms Of Kidney Stones

No
matter what kind of kidney stones one develops, the symptoms are
usually acute. One may be confused as to what it may herald. It is best
to know the symptoms from beforehand and seek help:

• Sever pain is felt in the side as well as on the back as well as below the ribs
• Pain is felt in the lower abdomen as well as in the groin area
• The pain comes in waves and may fluctuate in intensity
• Pain is felt when urinating
• The urine may become cloudy and foul smelling
• The urine develops a brown or reddish hue
• One may have vomiting or nausea feeling
• If an infection is present one may feel fever and chills

Home Remedies For Kidney Stones

There are many cases where kidney stones can be treated with success with the help of natural ingredients. The benefit of natural treatments is that they are safe and effective and there are no side effects to be feared.

Lemon Juice

The
citric acid that is present in lemon works to break down the kidney
stones formed out of calcium and also prevents the growth of such
stones. One needs to drink a glass of water with a few drops of lemon
juice several times in a day. When such a drink is consumed, the volume
of urination also increases which can help to remove the stones from the
system. One teaspoon of lemon juice can be added along with a
tablespoon of organic olive oil to half a glass of water. After this,
one can add the juice of half a lemon in half a glass of mineral water
to which a tablespoon of raw organic apple cider vinegar is added and
then this should be consumed.

Pomegranate

The
juice and the seeds of pomegranate are beneficial for kidney stones
treatment due to their astringent properties. It is recommended that one
eats a whole pomegranate fruit or consumes its juice. It can be had as a
part of a fruit salad as well. The seeds of the fruit can be ground
into a fine paste and taken with horse gram soup once every day. This
helps to dissolve gravel which accumulates in the kidney.

Nettle Leaf

This
leaf is beneficial for maintaining a continuous flow of water through
the bladder and the kidney and helps to promote smooth urination. The
nettle leaf also prevents the crystals from forming stones and also
keeps the bacterial infection at bay. If one is suffering from kidney
stones they will benefit from two or three cups of nettle tea drunk
daily. This herbal tea can be made by taking two tablespoons of dried
nettle leaf added to two cups of water. The leaves should be allowed to
soak for ten minutes and then strained. It acts as a natural diuretic.

Celery

If
you are suffering from kidney stones, a glass of raw celery juice can
help to get relief from pain. It has beneficial antiseptic properties to
offer. The celery juice is beneficial to clear the toxins that are
created due to the kidney stones. The juice also has diuretic properties
which help to break down the stones. The seeds of this plant can be
used to make herbal tea in order to prevent stones formed by uric acid
accumulation.

Bran Flakes

It
is necessary to consume food that is rich in fiber if one is suffering
from kidney stones. There is nothing like bran flakes if one is looking
for fiber rich food. The bran flakes contain fiber that helps to get rid
of calcium present in the urine and this reduces the risk of kidney
stones. A bowl of bran flakes should be consumed daily in order to cut
down on the risk of kidney stones.

Water Melon

Water
melon is also known to be beneficial for treating kidney stones as it
contains helpful minerals like phosphates, calcium, magnesium and
carbonates. Potassium in water melon acts as the key ingredient for
healthy kidneys in regulating as well as maintaining the acidic levels
in urine. High concentration of water in this fruit also helps to flush
out the stones that accumulate in the kidneys. Water melon consumed
regularly will help in preventing as well as treating kidney stones.

Basil

Basil
is considered as a tonic for kidneys and it is great for the normal
functioning of the kidneys. One could take a teaspoon of basil juice
every morning along with honey for five or six months to keep their
kidney in good condition. Pure basil juice can be had or two or three
basil leaves can be chewed to induce the stones to be expelled from the
kidney. Basil tea can also be had. Five to six leaves of this plant
added to boiling water and soaked for ten minutes can be had as tea
along with honey.

Whole Wheat Bread

Whole
wheat bread is one of the whole grain food items that can help to lower
the risk of kidney stones. They are known to be rich in fiber, protein
as well as in magnesium. The mineral magnesium helps smaller crystals in
the kidney to coalesce and form larger stones. Eating a piece or two of
whole wheat bread will help to prevent kidney stones and reduce their
size. Whole grain pasta, cereals also help to increase the amount of
fiber and other nutrients in one’s diet.

Kidney Beans

For
the treatment of bladder or kidney problems kidney beans are found to
be very effective. The beans need to be removed from the pods. The pods
should be sliced and then placed in hot water. The water should boil on
low flame for many hours in order to make the pods soft and tender. The
liquid thus obtained should be strained and cooled. This liquid could be
had several times in a day to obtain relief from kidney stone and
related pain symptoms. The decoction should not be kept for more than 24
hours as it loses its beneficial properties after that. Kidney beans in
salad or soup form can also be consumed.

Increase Intake Of Water

The only way to prevent kidney stones from forming would be to increase intake of fluids:

• One should drink at least six to eight ounces of water everyday
• Water is the ideal choice but natural fruit juices non sweetened, non caffeinated and non alcoholic beverages also count

Monitor The Output

It might not be possible to keep track of the fluid amount that one takes in. However, one should keep a check on:

• The amount of urine produced
• There are measuring devices that pharmacies carry and one should
be able to produce 40 to 45 ounces of urine everyday. If less amount is
being produced, the preventive measures need to be stepped up.

Restrict The Intake Of Oxalates

It is beneficial to consume large quantities of fruits and vegetables

• These help to stock up on the vitamins and minerals and other beneficial nutrients
• Some foods also contain oxalates and these need to be avoided in order to prevent kidney formation

Items That Need To Be Reduced In One’s Diet

There are certain items that will promote calcium oxalate stones formation such as:

Avoid Antacids

• Antacids that are sold over the counter which are rich in calcium
• The calcium leads to increased risk of kidney stone formation in people prone to this disorder

Supplement Your Diet

It is better to opt for a fiber rich diet which will help by:

• Getting rid of calcium and oxalates from the system
• That cuts down the risk of kidney stones

One good example of a fiber rich nutrient is bran flakes.

Increase Intake Of Magnesium

One should increase their magnesium intake as it will help to:

• Avoid formation of stones
• One can consume whole wheat bread that is high on magnesium

Reduce Salt Intake

It is known that salt has a direct effect on kidney stone formation:

• One should limit their sodium consumption
• More than two grams per day should not be consumed

Are
you afraid of a kidney stone attack coming on? There are many who have
faced such a dilemma and they realize the importance of taking proper
precautions in their daily lives. Indeed, the simple task of intake of
enough fluids becomes vital in such cases to prevent the painful
occurrence of stones. It is necessary to remember the advice given
above.

Butterball shares the funniest calls they have gotten on their Thanksgiving Turkey Talk-Line.

For three decades, the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line
has answered the desperate pleas of hundreds of thousands of holiday
cooks. As you can imagine, in that time the staff of 50-plus experts has
heard some pretty outlandish tales of Turkey Day mishaps, and fielded
some truly bewildering questions.

Following are a few favorite
conversations from the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line. And if you need help
this holiday season with your bird, don't forget to call
1-800-BUTTERBALL.

1. Turkey Treasure

After discovering a turkey from 1969 in
his dad’s freezer, an Alabama man called the Talk-Line to ask about the
best way to cook the 30+ year-old bird. Although the Talk-Line staffer
recommended the open roasting pan method to cook most turkeys, this time
she suggested that the first step was to purchase a fresher fowl! This
same gentleman also had in his freezer: the top of his wedding cake and
a snowball from every snowstorm he'd experienced in Alabama.

2. Third Time's a Charm

One caller was well versed at walking
down the aisle, but not so versed when it came to cooking her
Thanksgiving turkey. The caller explained to Carol Miller, a 20-plus
year Talk-Line veteran, Thanksgiving with her first husband was a bust
since she forgot to thaw the turkey. She blundered Thanksgiving with
her second husband when the foil pan she was using bent and slipped out
of her hands leaving the feast on the floor. She was hoping the third
time would be the charm so she called the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line to
make sure she was doing everything right!

3. Sun-Kissed Feast

Some holiday chefs take extreme measures
to please all guests. A caller was e-mailed a photo featuring a turkey
with a “bikini look.” As she was entertaining guests from the Bahamas,
she asked the Talk-Line how she could create a "tropical turkey."
Believe it or not, Talk-Line vet Mary Clingman suggested using aluminum
foil as a way to make the turkey look like a sun goddess!

4. State Bird

When a Talk-Line staffer asked a caller
what state her turkey was in (meaning how thawed was it) the caller
responded with, “Florida.”

5. All in the Family

A woman in her seventies, cooking
Thanksgiving dinner for the first time, called for help because her
mother said she was tired of cooking and it was time her daughter
learned how to prepare the Thanksgiving meal.

6. It’s a Wrap

A proud gentleman called to tell the
staff how he wrapped his turkey in a towel and stomped on it several
times, breaking the bones so it would fit in his pan.

7. Carving the Turkey

Another gentleman called to tell the
operator he cut his turkey in half with a chain saw and wanted to know
if the oil from the chain would adversely affect the turkey.

8. Upside Down Turkey Surprise

A disappointed woman called wondering why
her turkey had no breast meat. After a conversation with a Talk-Line
operator, it became apparent that the woman's turkey was lying on the
table upside down.

9. The Great Turkey Expansion

A new bride cooking Thanksgiving dinner
for the first time in a small, apartment-sized oven, wanted to make sure
her turkey wouldn't expand during cooking (as baked goods do), and thus
get stuck in the oven.

10. Frozen Turkey

A lady from Colorado called about “how to
thaw” her frozen Butterball. She proudly shared the fact that her
turkey was stored in a snow bank outside! It had snowed the night
before and it then dawned on her that she didn’t have a clue which snow
bank her turkey was in. At that point, the conversation was really over
because she was now on a mission to go find her turkey.

11. Turkey Help in a Pinch

One caller had always cut the legs off
the turkey before putting it in the oven thinking that was how you had
to cook a turkey. She later learned that the only reason her mom had
been doing that was because their oven had been so small that that was
the only way to get the bird into the oven!

12. Wash Those Suds Right Out of My … Turkey?

A first-time Thanksgiving chef called
Marge Klindera, a 20+ year Talk-Line veteran, in tears Thanksgiving
morning last year. She was so proud to have thawed the turkey
successfully and continued to rinse the turkey – with dish soap! The
tears started flowing when the turkey wouldn’t stop sudsing. If only
she called before she would have found out you don’t have to rinse the
turkey – just pat it dry with paper towels.

13. Keeping it Cooking

One mom called in and told us about how
her little girl had asked if they could slow-roast the turkey for three
or four days because she liked how it made the house smell. The experts
at the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line told her that the turkey should only
stay in the oven for a few hours and that it wasn’t a good idea to
leave it cooking for four days!

When it comes to holiday traditions, you can’t get much more festive than A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. As
much a part of the season as pumpkin pie, raking leaves, and playing
football, Charles Schulz’s timeless classic has been entertaining
audiences since 1973.

Based on a story of personal humility and friendship, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving finds
Charlie Brown in quite the pickle after his band of lovable companions
invite themselves over for a memorable holiday meal. Flustered, Charlie
Brown pulls together a haphazard meal (with a little help from Snoopy
and Woodstock, of course) just in time for Linus to impart to all
assembled the real meaning of the holiday season.

The tenth primetime animated TV special based on the Peanuts brand, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving is
easily one of the franchise’s most recognizable stories. As such, it
came as no surprise to the Loud Crow team when PEANUTS WORLDWIDE
suggested we revive the iconic tale for a modern, digital audience. Featuring dialogue, music and sound effects from the original 1973 animated special, the new A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving app is just one chapter in this story’s long and illustrious history.
How
has this animated classic managed to stay at the top of the television
ratings for the past four decades? We did a little analysis here at the
Loud Crow office and came up with the following three reasons for A
Charlie Brown Thanksgiving’s timeless charm:

1) It’s all about the kids.

Parental
figures have never played an integral role in any of the Peanuts’
animated classics. According to the Peanuts Wiki, this is because
parents simply didn’t interest Schulz. By leaving the parents on the
outskirts of his comic strip and any subsequent specials, Schulz was
able to give his stories a unique perspective, one that emulated a
child’s point of view. As for the iconic, waah waah noises that magically appear whenever an adult enters a scene? We asked Lee Mendelson, the producer behind A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, to provide us with some insight:

“Because
there were no adults in the comic strip, we decided that we needed
something offstage; originally it was something to signify the teacher. I
asked Vince Guaraldi if he could come up with a musical instrument that
sounded like an adult talking and so we ended up with a trombone. [It]
became one of the most famous signatures of our shows.”

- Lee Mendelson, Peanuts Producer

By
keeping his focus clearly on the kids, Schulz was able to preserve a
sense of child-like wonder in the Peanuts world… which is why no one is
surprised when Charlie Brown serve’s a Thanksgiving meal based entirely
on candy, pretzels, popcorn and toast!.

2) It appeals to everyone.

In today’s trend-dominated atmosphere of high-tech advances and disposable entertainment, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving stands
out as one of the few truly timeless classics still in existence. In
fact, last year the animated special pulled in 8.1 million viewers when
it aired on ABC – the largest audience the animated series has seen in
four years. Couple that with a brand new digital app and there’s no
telling how many new fans will tune into this year’s broadcast.

3) It reminds us of what really matters.From
touchdowns and tailgating to Black Friday shopping madness, it’s easy
to overlook the real reason for the Thanksgiving holiday season.
Luckily, the true meaning of the celebration is clearly put forth in A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving,
first by Linus in his dinnertime prayer, and again by Marcie:
Thanksgiving is a day to be grateful for your friends, and your family;
your freedom and your safety. As with many of the other Peanuts’
specials, Schulz is able to deliver this abstract message in a manner
that’s not just fun, but also accessible to a younger audience.

Originally aired on CBS some 40 years ago, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving is
easily one of the most recognizable Peanuts productions. Celebrate four
decades of festive fun with Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus and the whole
gang and add Loud Crow’s latest digital story masterpiece, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, to your family’s holiday entertainment library today.

For the hay and the corn and the wheat that is reaped,For the labor well done, and the barns that are heaped,For the sun and the dew and the sweet honeycomb,For the rose and the song and the harvest brought home --Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving!

For the trade and the skill and the wealth in our land,For the cunning and strength of the workingman's hand,For the good that our artists and poets have taught,For the friendship that hope and affection have brought --Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving!

For the homes that with purest affection are blest,For the season of plenty and well-deserved rest,For our country extending from sea unto sea;The land that is known as the "Land of the Free" --Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving!

Just over a century ago, steamships, canals, railroads, and the telegraph
were up and running. They were the technological marvels of the 19th
century-- setting the stage for the 20th century. Yet the invention that
would spark a revolution in transportation was a simple two-wheeler.
The bicycle. Its popularity in the 1880's and 1890's spurred interest in
the nation's roads.

On
October 3, 1893, General Roy Stone, a Civil War hero and good roads
advocate, was appointed Special Agent in charge of the new Office of
Road Inquiry (ORI) within the Department of Agriculture. With a budget
of $10,000, ORI promoted new rural road development to serve the wagons,
coaches, and bicycles on America's dirt roads.

At this same time, two bicycle mechanics in Springfield, Massachusetts, the Duryea Brothers,
built the first gasoline-powered "motor wagon" to be operated in the
United States. Lacking any brakes on its historic first run in September
1893, the vehicle was brought to a stop by simply driving it into a
curb. The Duryea Brothers' success was little noted at the time, but it
got the wheels turning for the introduction of the automobile, which
would literally change the landscape of America. (Two other bicycle
mechanics, brothers Wilbur and Orville Wright, would launch the aviation revolution at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, in December 1903.)

In 1908, Henry Ford
introduced his low-priced, highly efficient Model T. Its widespread
popularity created pressure for the federal government to become more
directly involved in road development. With rural interests adding to
the battle cry of "Get the farmers out of the mud!" Congress passed the
Federal- Aid Road Act of 1916. It created the Federal-Aid Highway
Program under which funds were made available on a continuous basis to
state highway agencies to assist in road improvements. But before the
program could get off the ground, the United States entered World War I.

Things
took off again in the Roaring 20's when the Bureau of Public Roads
(BPR), as ORI was then called, was authorized by the Federal Highway Act
of 1921 to provide funding to help state highway agencies construct a
paved system of two-lane interstate highways. During the 1930's, BPR
helped state and local governments create Depression-era road projects
that would employ as many workers as possible. When America entered
World War II in 1941, the focus turned toward providing roads that the
military needed. After the war, the nation's roads were in disrepair,
and congestion had become a problem in major cities. In 1944, President
Franklin D. Roosevelt had signed legislation authorizing a network of
rural and urban express highways called the "National System of
Interstate Highways." Unfortunately, the legislation lacked funding. It
was only after President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the Federal-Aid
Highway Act of 1956 that the Interstate program got under way.

From
the start, the Interstate System was hailed as the "Greatest Public
Works Project in History"--a challenge embraced by several generations
of highway engineers. But even more challenges were forthcoming. In the
1960's, BPR began to focus increasingly on environmental concerns and on
creating urban road networks that tied into other land-use plans and
transportation options, including mass transit. By 1966, the changing
times prompted legislation to establish the U.S. Department of
Transportation (DOT). When the new department opened in April 1967, BPR,
renamed the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), was one of the
original components.

Throughout
the 1970's and 1980's, FHWA worked with the states to open 99 percent of
the designated 42,800-mile Interstate System--now officially called the
Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways.

End child nagging and negotiating with just three simple words

When it comes to persistence, few things
compare to a child nagging and negotiating to try and get what he
wants. And few people know that better than a parent who has given that
child an answer they don’t want to hear.

From the famed “Are we
there yet?” to this morning’s “Can I have ice cream for breakfast?” to
this afternoon’s “Can I have ice cream for dinner?” kids are notorious
for their one-track minds, and they will ask…and ask…and ask…just in case you’ve changed your mind in the last minute.

Child
nagging is a learned behavior that children of any age can pick up.
They might continue to use it because once, in a moment of weakness, you
caved and let them stay up an extra half hour after they asked for the
eighth time.

But like any learned behavior, child nagging can be unlearned. The solution comes from Lynn Lott, co-author of the Positive Discipline series of books, and it works on kids as young as two or three, all the way through their teens.

It only takes three simple words: “Asked and Answered.”

The
concept is simple. When seven-year-old Daniel begs to dig a giant hole
in the front yard and gets “no” for an answer, chances are he’ll be back
in five minutes asking again – this time with a “pleeeeeeaase” just so
you know he really, really wants to dig the hole.

Instead
of repeating yourself or jumping in to a lecture, avoid child nagging
by getting eye to eye and follow the process below:

Step Four:
Ask, “Do I look like the kind of mom/dad/teacher who will change
her/his mind if you ask me the same thing over and over?” (Chances are
Daniel will walk away, maybe with a frustrated grunt, and engage in
something else.)

Step Five: If Daniel asks again,
simply say, “Asked and Answered.” (No other words are necessary!) Once
this technique has been established, these are the only words you should
need to say to address nagging questions.

Consistency is key!
Once you decide to use “Asked and Answered” with your nagging child, be
sure to stick to it. If 14-year-old Emma is particularly determined to
keep asking to get her eyebrow pierced, stay strong. Answering her
question again – or worse yet, changing your answer – will reinforce to
her that her nagging works. Although it’ll take some patience, your
child will eventually connect the dots and you’ll see results!

Make
“Asked and Answered” a joint effort with your spouse, and consider
including any family or friends who may have to deal with child nagging
and negotiating from your child. When Daniel and Emma realize that they
won’t get a “yes,” even after they’ve asked twelve times, they’ll get
the hint and retire this tactic.

Speech and Language Pathologist, Stacy Pulley
reports this technique works well for children with communication
challenges, particularly those with Autism. She suggests bringing a
notebook or a chalk/dry erase board into the mix and writing down a
question once they’ve asked it more than once, keeping in mind their
reading level. Or, draw a picture. Then, when your child asks again,
point to the board or notebook to remind them that they’ve asked, and
you’ve answered. Be sure to use as few words as possible and stay
consistent in your language to help them understand the connection as
they learn to listen to and respect your answers.

Adding this tool
to your parenting toolbox is a positive step toward ending the child
nagging and negotiating that can wear on even the most resolute of
parents. Then, be sure to follow through and stay consistent – and
before you know it, 20 questions will be a fun game once again, and no
longer a negotiation tactic!

APRIL BABYSuave and compromising. Funny and
humorous. Stubborn. Very talkative. Calm and cool. Kind and sympathetic.
Concerned and detailed. Loyal. Does work well with others. Very
confident. Sensitive. Positive Attitude. Thinking generous. Good memory.
Clever and knowledgeable. Loves to look for information. Able to cheer
everyone up and/or make them laugh. Able to motivate oneself and others.
Understanding. Fun to be around. Outgoing. Hyper. Bubbly personality.
Secretive. Boy/girl crazy. Loves sports, music, leisure and travelling.
Systematic. hot but has brains.

MAY BABYStubborn and
hard-hearted . Strong-willed and highly motivated. Sharp thoughts.
Easily angered. Attracts others and loves attention. Deep feelings.
Beautiful physically and mentally. Firm Standpoint. Needs no motivation.
Shy towards opposite sex. Easily consoled. Systematic (left brain).
Loves to dream. Strong clairvoyance. Understanding. Sickness usually in
the ear and neck. Good imagination. Good physical. Weak breathing. Loves
literature and the arts. Loves traveling. Dislike being at home.
Restless. Not having many children. Hardworking. High spirited.JUNE BABYYou've
got the best personality and are an absolute pleasure to be around. You
love to make new friends and be outgoing. You are a great flirt and
more than likely have an a very attractive partner. a wicked hottie. It
is also more than likely that you have a massive record collection. You
have a great choice in films, and may one day become a famous
actor/actress yourself - heck, you've got the looks for it!!!

JULY BABYFun
to be with. Secretive. Difficult to fathom and to be understood. Quiet
unless excited or tensed. Takes pride in oneself. Has reputation. Easily
consoled. Honest. Concerned about people's feelings. Tactful. Friendly.
Approachable. Emotional temperamental and unpredictable. Easily hurt.
Witty and sparkly. spazzy at times. Not revengeful. Forgiving but never
forgets. dislikes nonsensical and unnecessary things. Guides others
physically and mentally. Sensitive and forms impressions carefully.
Caring and loving. Treats others equally. Strong sense of sympathy. Wary
and sharp. Judges people through observations. Hardworking. No
difficulties in studying. Loves to be with friends . Always broods about
the past and the old friends. Waits for friends. Never looks for
friends. Not aggressive unless provoked. Loves to be loved. Easily hurt
but takes long to recover.

AUGUST BABYoutgoing personality.
takes risks. feeds on attention. no self control. kind hear-ted. self
confident. loud and boisterous. VERY revengeful. easy to get along with
and talk to. has an "every thing's peachy" attitude. likes talking and
singing. loves music. daydreamer. easily distracted. Hates not being
trusted. BIG imagination. loves to be loved. hates studying. in need of
"that someone". longs for freedom. rebellious when withheld or
restricted. lives by "no pain no gain" caring. always a suspect.
playful. mysterious. "charming" or "beautiful" to everyone. stubborn.
curious. independent. strong willed. a fighter.

SEPTEMBER BABYActive
and dynamic. Decisive and haste but tends to regret. Attractive and
affectionate to oneself. Strong mentality. Loves attention. Diplomatic.
Consoling, friendly and solves people's problems. Brave and fearless.
Adventurous. Loving and caring. Suave and generous. Usually you have
many friends. Enjoys to make love. Emotional. Stubborn. Hasty. Good
memory. Moving, motivates oneself and others. Loves to travel and
explore. Sometimes sexy in a way that only their lover can understand.

OCTOBER BABYLoves
to chat. Loves those who love them. Loves to takes things at the
center. Inner and physical beauty. Lies but doesn't pretend. Gets angry
often. Treats friends importantly. Brave and fearless. Always making
friends. Easily hurt but recovers easily. Daydreamer. Opinionated. Does
not care to control emotions. Unpredictable. Extremely smart, but
definitely the hottest AND sexiest of them all.

NOVEMBER BABYTrustworthy
and loyal. Very passionate and dangerous. Wild at times. Knows how to
have fun. Sexy and mysterious. Everyone is drawn towards your inner and
outer beauty and independent personality. Playful, but secretive. Very
emotional and temperamental sometimes. Meets new people easily and very
social in a group. Fearless and independent. Can hold their own. Stands
out in a crowd. Essentially very smart. Usually, the greatest men are
born in this month. If you ever begin a relationship with someone from
this month, hold on to them because their one of a kind.

DECEMBER BABYThis
straight-up means you are the most good-looking person possible... better
than all of these other months! Loyal and generous. Patriotic.
Competitive in everything. Active in games and interactions. Impatient
and hasty. Ambitious. Influential in organizations. Fun to be with. Easy
to talk to, though hard to understand. Thinks far with vision, yet
complicated to know. Easily influenced by kindness. Polite and
soft-spoken. Having lots of ideas. Sensitive. Active mind. Hesitating,
tends to delay. Choosy and always wants the best. Temperamental. Funny
and humorous. Loves to joke. Good debating skills. Has that someone
always on his/her mind. Talkative. Daydreamer. Friendly. Knows how to
make friends. Abiding. Able to show character. one guy/girl kind of
person. Loveable. Easily hurt. Prone to getting colds. loves music.

...
if John Lennon, Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin and several other iconic
rock stars hadn't died before their time. While we will never know what
music they may have written, thanks to modern technology we can get a
good sense of what they would've looked like.

The photo series, created by the PR firm Sachs Media Group, also features Kurt Cobain, Bob Marley and Keith Moon.

John Lennon

The former Beatle died in 1980 at age 40, after being shot to death by deranged fan Mark David Chapman.

If he were alive today, he would be 73 years old.

Elvis Presley

After years of prescription drug abuse, Elvis succumbed to his various health ailments on August 16, 1977, at the age of 42.

Today, he would be 78 years old.

Janis Joplin

Janis (or Pearl, as her friends called her) passed away from a drug overdose at the tender age of 27 in 1970.

However, if she were still with us, she would have celebrated her 70th birthday this year.

Kurt Cobain

Since he died at the age of 27 in 1984, "the smells like teen spirit" singer remains young in the public's
memory until now.

Here is what Nirvana's frontman would look like as a 46 year old in 2013.

Jim Morrison
The Lizard King may have lived hard and died young (28), but that still doesn't stop us from imaging
him as an older gentleman.

Here he is, at what would have been the cusp of his 70th birthday.

Jimi Hendrix
Another member of the sad class of rock stars who died at age of 27, had Jimi not overdosed in 1970, he would have turned 71 this year.Keith Moon
The hard-rocking drummer of the Who passed away in 1978 from a drug overdose at 32 years old.
Were he still banging on the skins today he'd be 67.Karen Carpenter
The Carpenters lead singer sadly passed away in 1983, at only 32 years old, from heart failure related to her battles with anorexia.

Here she is pictured as if she had made it to 63 years old.

Dennis Wilson
The Beach Boys drummer, singer, songwriter and founding member sadly drowned in 1983, a few days following his 39th birthday.

But if he were still harmonizing today, this boy of summer would've been turning 69 this year.

Cass Elliot
The Mamas and the Poppas singer died on July 29, 1974 at age 32 from a heart attack following a
performance at The London Palladium. (Contrary to urban legend, the cardiac failure was most likely
brought on by extreme weight loss - not from chocking on a sandwich.)

Today "Grandma Cass" would have been 72.

Bob Marley
Thereggae star, who brought Rastafarianism to the mainstream, succumbed from cancer in 1981 at
only 36 years of age.

Had he managed to survive, however, he and his dreads would have turned 68 this year.

Bobby Darin
The multi-talented singer, songwriter and actor died following a heart operation in 1973 at only 37 years of age.

I am well. Hope you are too. Tell
Brother Walt and Brother Elmer the Marine Corps beats working for old man Minch by a mile. Tell them to join up quick before
all of the places are filled.

I was restless at first because you get to stay
in bed till nearly 6 a.m. but I am getting so I like to sleep late. Tell
Walt and Elmer all you do before breakfast is smooth your cot, and shine some
things. No hogs to slop, feed to pitch, mash to mix, wood to split, or
fire to lay. Practically nothing.

Men got to shave but it is not so bad, there's
warm water. Breakfast is strong on trimmings like fruit juice, cereal,
eggs, bacon, etc., but kind of weak on chops, potatoes, ham, steak, fried
eggplant, pie and other regular food, but tell Walt and Elmer you can always
sit by the two city boys that live on coffee. Their food, plus yours,
holds you until noon when you get fed again. It's no wonder these city boys
can't walk much.

We go on "route marches", which the platoon sergeant says are long
walks to harden us. If he thinks so, it's not my place to tell him
different. A "route march" is about as far as to our mailbox at
home. Then the city guys get sore feet and we all ride back in trucks.

The sergeant is like a school teacher. He
nags a lot. The Captain is like the school board. Majors and
colonels just ride around and frown. They don't bother you none.

This next will kill Walt and Elmer with laughing.
I keep getting medals for shooting. I don't know why. The bulls-eye
is near as big as a chipmunk head and don't move, and it ain't shooting at you,
like the Higgett boys at home. All you got to do is lie there all
comfortable and hit it. You don't even load your own cartridges.
They come in boxes.

Then we have what they call hand-to-hand combat
training. You get to wrestle with them city boys. I have to be real
careful though, they break real easy. It ain't like fighting with that
ole bull at home. I'm about the best they got in this, except for that
Tug Jordan from over in Silver Lake.
I only beat him once. He joined up the same time as me, but I'm only
5'6" and 130 pounds and he's 6'8" and near 300 pounds dry.

Be sure to tell Walt and Elmer to hurry and join
before other fellers get onto this setup and come stampeding in.

One year at Thanksgiving, my mom went to my sister's house for the
traditional feast. Knowing how gullible my sister is, my mom decided to
play a trick. She told my sister that she needed something from the
store.

When my sister left, my mom took the turkey out of the oven,
removed the stuffing, stuffed a Cornish hen, and inserted it into the
turkey, and re-stuffed the turkey. She then placed the bird(s) back in
the oven.

When it was time for dinner, my sister pulled the turkey
out of the oven and proceeded to remove the stuffing. When her serving
spoon hit something, she reached in and pulled out the little bird.

With
a look of total shock on her face, my mother exclaimed, "Patricia,
you've cooked a pregnant bird!" At the reality of this horrifying news,
my sister started to cry.

A woman called the turkey hotline to find out how long it would take to roast her turkey. To answer the question, the Talk-Line home economist asked how much the bird weighed. The woman responded, "I don't know, it's still running around outside."

Home alone, a Kentucky woman was in the doghouse when she called the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line. While preparing the turkey, her chihuahua jumped into the bird's body cavity and couldn't get out. She triedpulling the dog and shaking the bird, but nothing worked. She and the dog became more and more distraught. After calming the woman down, the Talk-Line home economist suggested carefully cutting the opening inthe cavity of the turkey wider. It worked and Fido was freed!

Roasting a turkey doesn't have to interfere with the daily routine, so said a retired Floridian. He called "Turkey Central" for turkey grilling tips while waiting to tee off from the 14th hole.

Taking turkey preparation an extra step, a Virginian wondered, "How do you thaw a fresh turkey?" The Talk-Line staffer explained that fresh turkeys aren't frozen and don't need to be thawed.

Thanksgiving dinners take eighteen hours to prepare. They are consumed in twelve minutes.Half-time takes twelve minutes.This is not a coincidence

A lady was picking through the frozen turkeys at the grocery store, but couldn't find one big enough for her family. She asked the stock boy, "Do these turkeys get any bigger?" "No ma'am," he replied, they're all dead."

Asked to write a composition entitled, "What I'm thankful for on Thanksgiving," a student wrote,"I am thankful that I'm not a turkey."